§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a short period of training given to men in industrial establishments and on building construction would prevent many accidents; and if he will seek power to ensure such training, especially by small employers.
§ Mr. GodberPowers to require safety training under the Factories Act exist and are used. For example, training must be given to all workers at woodworking machinery and to young persons at a number of other machines. This is reinforced by voluntary training schemes which are an important part of the effort which we are making to develop safety-consciousness throughout industry.
§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a large number of industrial accidents which take place are not reported by employers and that accidents on building construction are increasing; and if he will introduce legislation to make it obligatory on all employers to report every accident so that statistics on this subject can be more reliable.
§ Mr. GodberI have informed the House of the efforts I am making to improve the standard of accident reporting and of accident prevention generally. In this I have the full support of both sides of Industry. Section 80 of the Factories Act, 1961, already requires occupiers to report to the Factory Inspectorate every accident which causes loss of life to a person employed, or disables any such person for more than three days from earning full wages at the work on which he was employed. I do not consider that it would be useful to extend this requirement to include all accidents.